Consider Before Consuming

Louie Greek is a Training Specialist with Truckers Against Trafficking, who has spent more than a decade fighting human trafficking, using his expertise in law enforcement and military service to train people on how to recognize, respond to, and ultimately prevent exploitation. In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Louie shares eye-opening insights on the realities of trafficking, the role of demand in fueling exploitation, and the actions we can take to stop it. Episode Resources Truckers Against Trafficking: Resources Article: How You Can Spot, Report, and Prevent Human Trafficking Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 96: Valiant Richey Conversation Blueprint: Let's Talk About Porn

*This episode contains descriptions of sexual violence and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised. Episode Description Selena is the Associate Program Director of a sex trafficking survivor sanctuary. As a former porn performer and sex trafficking survivor, Selena knows firsthand what the women she is helping have experienced. In this Consider Before Consuming episode, Selena sheds light on the dark realities of the porn industry, the deceptive nature of sex trafficking, and the power of resilience. Episode Resources Article: I Was Fine with Porn and the Commercial Sex Industry, Until I Worked in a Brothel Video: What Being In Porn Is Really Like Victim Resources Hope Rising

Mandy is a women's empowerment and trauma-informed life coach who helps women who have experienced betrayal trauma. In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, Mandy shares her personal experience of discovering her partner’s secret struggle with porn addiction, his cheating with porn stars, and the betrayal trauma that followed. She describes the emotional toll, the gaslighting, and the psychological abuse she endured, as well as the healing journey that led her to become a trauma-informed life coach. Episode Resources Article: The Emotional Trauma of Having a Porn-Addicted Partner Mandy's Website Conversation Blueprint: Let's Talk About Porn

Timothy Reigle is a coach, author, podcaster, and the founder of Into The Wilderness Ministries. Tim has used his own experience in defeating addiction to help hundreds of men to overcome their addictions to porn and sex. In this Consider Before Consuming episode, Tim shares about the 15 years he spent in a cycle of porn addiction that escalated into destructive behaviors, impacting his marriage and mental health. He shares how he finally broke free, the strategies that helped him find lasting recovery, and how he now helps others do the same. Episode Resources Article: How Porn Can Become an Escalating Behavior Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 114: Rachel Denton Timothy's Website: Into the Wilderness Timothy Instagram: @timothyreigle

Trigger Warning Trigger Warning: The following episode contains discussions of child physical and sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Episode Description Seth Gehle is an author and speaker who uses his platform to encourage others to overcome their own challenges and find strength in adversity by sharing his own story of resiliency after a traumatic childhood. In this Consider Before Consuming episode, Seth shares about the years of abuse that shaped his childhood, the role of pornography in shaping his perceptions of relationships, and the path he took to heal. Episode Resources Victim Resources Seth's Website and Book Consider Before Consuming Ep. 107: Matt and Sarah

Trigger Warning *Trigger Warning: The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes and discussions of child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised Melinda Tankard Reist is an author, speaker, and the Movement Director of Collective Shout. She's spent many years as a leading advocate against the sexual exploitation of girls and women. In this episode, she shares the impact of porn culture on youth, relationships, and society. She unpacks her latest research on the alarming rise of sexual harassment in schools, particularly toward teachers. She also addresses how boys are being conditioned to see girls as objects through exposure to violent pornography. Episode Resources Article: Porn Impacts Student Sexual Harassment in Schools—Here’s How Video: This SANE Nurse Explains How Pornography Inspires Sexual Assault Melinda Tankard-Reist's Website Collective Shout Sexual Harassment of Teachers Report

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of child sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised. Lydia Cacho is a world-renowned investigative journalist, author, and human rights activist who has dedicated her life to exposing the dark realities of human trafficking, child exploitation, and the intersections of pornography and organized crime. In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, Lydia shares her decades-long fight against corruption, the dangers she has faced, and the resilience that keeps her pushing forward. Episode Resources Article: By the Numbers: Is the Porn Industry Connected to Sex Trafficking? Lydia's Instagram: @Lydiacacho Lydia's Books

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trafficking. Listener discretion is advised. Meagan Lundstrom has spent over a decade in this field of anti-trafficking, first as the founder of The Avery Center and now as the Director of the Resilience Fund at Polaris, a direct cash assistance program for trafficking survivors in the United States. In this episode, Megan shares her expertise on OnlyFans, examining its portrayal as empowering versus its exploitation risks. Meagan reveals how traffickers use the platform and challenges the platform’s minimal standards for consent and safety. Episode Resources Article: How Porn Can Distort Consumers Understanding of Healthy Sex Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 81: Megan Lundstrom Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 115: Victoria Sinis Polaris Resilience Fund Report: An In-Depth Financial Analysis of Sex Trafficking on OnlyFans

Dr. Meagan Tyler is a Senior Lecturer in the Research Education and Development team at Australia’s La Trobe University. With nearly 20 years of experience researching the intersections of pornography, gender inequality, and violence against women, she shares her expert insights. In this episode, she helps us understand how the normalization of pornography has been fueled by cultural shifts, technological advancements, and strategic marketing. Listeners will learn about the ways pornography influences intimate partner violence, its role in shaping unhealthy sexual norms, and how feminist ideals are co-opted to mask exploitation. Episode Resources Article: Does Porn Normalize Sexual Violence in Teen Relationships? Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 25: Carolyn West Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 90: Taina Bien-Aimé Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Australia Meagan Tyler's Research Outputs

Sathiya Sam is a recovery coach, speaker, and author who has dedicated his life to helping others overcome pornography addiction and achieve true freedom. After battling his own 15-year struggle with addiction, Sathiya founded Deep Clean, a program designed to address the root causes of compulsive behaviors. In this episode, we explore transformative concepts like healing past wounds and redefining identity. Episode Resources Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 29: Sathiya Sam Sathiya's Website Sathiya's Book: Free for CBC Podcast Listeners! Conversation Blueprint: Let's Talk About Porn Group-Based Recovery: Relay Documentary: Brain, Heart, World

Episode Description Dr. Frank Anderson is a renowned trauma expert, psychiatrist, and author with over 30 years of experience. In this episode, Dr. Anderson explores how trauma shapes behaviors and relationships, offering practical tools for healing and fostering genuine connections, while providing hope for those on their recovery journey. Episode Resources Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 101: Matthias J. Barker Dr. Anderson's Website Dr. Anderson's Newest Book: To Be Loved Trauma Institute Instagram: Dr. Frank Anderson

In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, we host a panel featuring four individuals deeply involved in the fight against pornography addiction. Chandler, Co-founder and CEO of Relay, shares his personal journey of overcoming pornography and how his experience led to creating a digital platform for recovery. Chris, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex addiction therapist, offers expert insights on the psychological effects of pornography and addiction recovery. Matthew and Dayne, both in recovery from long-term porn addiction, open up about their personal experiences, challenges, and victories in their healing journeys. Together, the panel discusses the power of connection in recovery, the importance of vulnerability, and how community plays a crucial role in breaking free from addiction. Episode Resources Article: How Porn Can Change the Brain Article: Why the Opposite of Porn Addiction Isn’t Only Sobriety—It’s Real Human Connection Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 93: Chandler Join Relay Book: The Body Keeps the Score

Melanie Thompson is a survivor of sex trafficking and prostitution, as well as a dedicated speaker and activist in the global fight against commercial sexual exploitation. Trafficked at just 12 years old, Melanie was later arrested and placed in foster care, where she began her advocacy journey at 14. She now serves as the Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator at the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women International. In this episode, we delve into Melanie's powerful story and explore the complexities of trafficking, the misconceptions surrounding platforms like OnlyFans, how pornography promotes violence and harmful stereotypes, and the urgent need for awareness and systemic change. Episode Resources Article: How Mainstream Porn Normalizes Violence Against Black Women Article: How Porn Can Misrepresent and Fetishize LGBTQ+ Individuals and Relationships Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 90: Taina Bien-Aimé Melanie's Podcast: Exit Wound The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Rebecca Bender Initiative

Breanna and Brandon Vales are Directors and Founders of Red Light Rebellion, which exists to educate young people about the dangers of child sex trafficking. In this episode, they cover how their experiences influence their work and how they aim to empower youth to recognize the red flags of grooming and exploitation. They also share about Brandon's recovery journey from porn addiction, the impact of pornography on relationships, and how unresolved childhood trauma often leads to addiction. Episode Resources Article: How You Can Spot, Report, and Prevent Human Trafficking Red Light Rebellion Red Flag Cards: Text REDFLAGS to 602-922-1040

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. Episode Description Shelby’s early exposure to pornography impacted her understanding of sex, leading to misconceptions about consent and contributing to feelings of hypersexuality during her teenage years. In this episode, she shares about a past relationship where her partner's use of pornography had a detrimental effect on her emotionally and physically, and how sharing her experience over the past year has helped in healing and finding connection. Episode Resources Article: Does Porn Normalize Sexual Violence in Teen Relationships? Article: National Study Finds Porn Linked to Sexual Aggression and Coercion in Relationships Article: 5 Ways Porn Has Lied to You About Consent Article: Is My Partner’s Porn Habit Harming Our Relationship, or Am I Just Insecure? Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 111: Bailey Victim Resources Resource for Partners of Porn Users: Bloom

Justin Euteneier is the Program Director at Epik Project, an organization that works to disrupt the demand for commercial sexual exploitation. In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Justin shares the efforts the Epik project is using, including engaging with sex buyers to talk about the choices they're making, collaborating with law enforcement, educational initiatives for youth, and efforts to engage men in the fight against trafficking. Episode Resources FTND Resource: Porn and Sex Trafficking Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 96: Valiant Richey Epik Project

Trigger Warning *The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes, discussions of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised Laila Mickelwait is an anti-trafficking activist, Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, Founder of the Traffickinghub movement, and author of "Take Down: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking,” In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Laila continues to share about her efforts to expose and combat illegal content on Pornhub, including the fight to hold credit card companies accountable. Fight the New Drug is a non-religious and non-legislative awareness and education organization. Some of the issues discussed in this episode may be legislatively-affiliated. Though our organization is non-legislative, we fully support the fights against already illegal forms of pornography and sexual exploitation and against sex trafficking. Episode Resources Laila's Book: Takedown Traffickinghub Petition Justice Defense Fund Laila's Article: Why Are Visa And Mastercard Still Doing Business with Pornhub? FTND Resource: Porn and Sex Trafficking Podcast: Consider Before Consuming, Ep. 35: Nikolas Kristof Article: What's Going on with Pornhub? Nikolas Kristof's Article: The Children of Pornhub Sheelah Kolhatkar's Article: The Fight to Hold Pornhub Accountable

Trigger Warning *The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes, discussions of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised. Laila Mickelwait is an anti-trafficking activist, Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, Founder of the Traffickinghub movement, and author of "Take Down: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking,” In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Laila shares her journey in the anti-sex trafficking movement and her efforts to expose and combat illegal content on Pornhub. Fight the New Drug is a non-religious and non-legislative awareness and education organization. Some of the issues discussed in this episode may be legislatively-affiliated. Though our organization is non-legislative, we fully support the fights against already illegal forms of pornography and sexual exploitation, and against sex trafficking. Episode Resources Laila's Book: Takedown Traffickinghub Petition Justice Defense Fund Laila's Article: Time to Shut Pornhub Down FTND Resource: Porn and Sex Trafficking Podcast: Consider Before Consuming, Ep. 35: Nikolas Kristof Article: What's Going on with Pornhub?

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains brief discussions of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. Miyo Strong is the director of The Elizabeth Smart Foundation's self-defense program, Smart Defense. As a mom of two daughters, Miyo began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts. She joins us for this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode to share about Smart Defense's unique, trauma-informed approach, combining physical techniques and breathwork with education on sexual violence, consent, and self-worth. Episode Resources Article: How Porn Can Promote Sexual Violence Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep.89: Elizabeth Smart Smart Defense Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel VanDerKolk Book: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.

Chris McKenna is the Founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes, which exists to help create safer digital environments. As a child, Chris was exposed to pornography, and as an adult, he realized how many problems there were with digital spaces and wanted to find a solution to that. In this episode, Chris helps us understand the importance of both having relational connections and technical controls when parenting in the digital age. He underlines the importance of having open conversations about pornography with children to reduce shame and secrecy, stressing the significance of addressing these issues from a young age. Episode Resources Protect Young Eyes Fight the New Drug's Parenting Resources Conversation Blueprint Article: Discover the 2024 “Dirty Dozen” Companies Profiting from Sexual Exploitation Jonathan Haidt's Book: The Anxious Generation